Alginate-pectin-poly-L-lysine particulate as a potential controlled release formulation

Drug delivery particulates were prepared using alginate, polylysine and pec tin. Theophylline, chlorothiazide and indomethacin were used as the model d rugs for in-vitro assessments, and mannitol was the model for assessing par acellular drug absorption across Caco-2 cell monolayers. Alginate and pecti n served as the core polymers and polylysine helped to strengthen the parti culates. Use of pectin specially helped in forming a more robust particulat e that was more resistant in acidic pH and modulated the release profiles o f the encapsulated model drugs in the alkaline pH. Alginate and pectin were also found to enhance the paracellular absorption of mannitol across Caco- 2 cell monolayers by about three times. The release rate could be described as a first-order or square-root time process depending on the drug load. Use of alginate-polylysine-pectin particulates is expected to combine the a dvantages of bioadhesion, absorption enhancement, and sustained release. Th is particulate system may have potential use as a carrier for drugs that ar e poorly absorbed after oral administration.